Tent frame construction



y 29, 1951 J. R. BROWN 2,555,220

TENT FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

James R Ercn.ur1

ATTORNEYS.

May 29, 1951 J. R. BROWN 2,555,220

TENT FRAME CONSTRUCTION Fild Feb. 27, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flc-a. 5.

5.2 INVENTOR.

James R-Br-cn un ATTORNEYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 27, 1948 FIG-8 FIG-7.

-FIG.6a

INVENTOR. JEN LE5 R-E|PE1U.HL

ATTORNEYS.

y 29, 1951 J. R. BROWN 2,555,220

TENT FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1948 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 z a 0 L 13L -Ma W James R' Er1jwn ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENT FRAME CONSTRUCTION James R. Brown, Salinas, Calif.

Application February 27, 1948, Serial No. 11,362

This invention relates to improvements in tent structures.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved frame for umbrella type tents which can be manipulated with facility by a single operator to set up the tent in an appreciably shorter time than can be accomplished with conventional umbrella type tent frames.

2 A further object of this invention is the provision of a unitary frame assemblage for umbrella type tents wherein all parts of the frame structure are connected together, not only when in extended position, but also when collapsed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views:

Figure 1 is an elevation taken from a corner of the tent frame showing the latter in setup position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the type of tent with which the frame is intended to be used; the canopy being shown in setup position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the collapsed tent frame in a position to facilitate erection of the frame and canopy simultaneously.

Figure 4 is a view, partly in perspective, showing an improved pilot leg construction used as part of the framework, in position for holding the framework so that the operator with facility can individually set up the roof bracing and legs.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken thru the pilot leg combination joint and lock construction.

Figure 6 is a side elevation showing portions of the pilot leg construction at the combination joint and lock structure when the frame is in "setup position.

Figure 7 is an edge elevation of the parts as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a step in the assemblage of the joint and lock construction J preliminary to establishing rigidity of the pilot leg construction.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Figure 9 but with the joint structure in locked position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the complementary sections of a brace or leg portion of the tent frame may be locked in a desired adjustment without the necessity of turning clamping screws, etc.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the hub and roofing structure of the frame.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken thru 8 Claims. (01. 135-4) 2 the details of Figure 12 substantially on the line |3|3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a bottom plan View of the parts shown in Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken thru an improved locking member which establishes the length of a brace or leg construction.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate a unitary frame construction adapted to support an umbrella type canopy 3*.

The improved frame construction A preferably consists of a hub portion B to which are radially ;connected spider-like roof braces C. The latter at their outer ends are pivotally connected to extensible legs D, E, F and G. The leg D and the associated roof brace C are utilized in connection with an improved combination joint and lock construction J to form a pilot leg structure which, as such, is utilized initially in holding the framework in position while the various other legs and roof brace structures are extended beneath the canopy into position for supporting the canopy.

In connection with each roof brace C and also each leg D, E, F and G, I may utilize improved length holding detents K (shown in Figure 15) which acts as a lock to prevent shortening or collapse of the complementary brace and leg parts, as the case may be, when extended into position for supporting the canopy.

/ The hub B is of polygonal construction including a dome-shaped top surface 20. It has a passageway 2| therethru for slidably receiving the normally vertically positioned canopy roof stretching pole or member H. In a conventionally sized umbrella type tent, the hub B will be provided with four flat sides 22 in adjacent rightangled relation to one another to which the inner lengths 23 of the spider or roof brace portions C are connected by hinges 24* attached to the under sides of the lengths 23 whereby when the frame is erected the ends of the latter may abut against a the flat surfaces 22 should there be a tendency of the frame to collapse, in order to limit the dropping action. This enables the portions 23 to be collapsed parallel with the roof stretching member H or extended at an acute angle thereto varying between a right angle and the parallel position mentioned.

Each roof brace structure C further includes an outer length 35 slidably connected to the inner length 23 in parallel relation thereto by means of two metal bands 24 pivoted thereto. One of them may have a set screw 24' to hold the sections in place. The outer lock clamp and guide K is of the construction shown in Figure 15. Each of these detent type lock clamps K is of U-shaped construction and has a pair of leg portions thereof pivotally connected by a pin 35 to one of the lengths ofthe brace or leg structure, as the case may be. The leg connecting portion 36 of the detent K is provided with a tooth flange 3'! bent inwardly towards the pivot pin which may be sharpened at a chisel edge for the purpose of biting into the material of the length which is slidably extended thru the passageway 38. Merely by tilting the detent K upon the pivot pin 35 will insure the biting of the toothed flange 3'! into the material of the length which is slidable thru the passageway 38 and this will hold the length extension of the parts. The detent K, shown in Figure 15, holds complementary portions of a leg structure together;

Each of the leg structures D, E, F and G includes an upper portion Eli and a lower portion 5! slidably connected in parallel for collapsible and extensible positioning. Means for holding them in this slidable relation consists of a metal strap portion 52 fixedly secured to the upper end of each of the lower leg lengths 5|, having a passageway therethru for snugly slidably receiving the other leg section 5!}. The latter at its lower end has pivotally connected therewith one of the locking detents K, the operation of which is shown in Figure 15 and has been above described. Its purpose is to hold the locked extension of the leg parts 53 and 5|.

The outer end of each portion 3% is pivotally connected to the upper end of each upper section 5'6 of the leg structure by means of a. pivot pin 6%. At this location the wear surfaces of the ends or the portions 30 and 52 may be reinforced by means of U-shaped metal straps, such as the straps GI and 62 shown in the drawings in connection with illustration of the pilot leg joint structure J.

Referring to the joint structure J, the same in addition to the straps iii and 8?. is provided with a metal locking tongue 10 having the pivot pin 80 extended therethru. It lies between the straps Si and 52 and extends along the outer portiontil'of one roof spider; its inner end being secured by a pin 12 to the roof brace portion 30. The outer end of the tongue it; extends beyond the strap portions 85 and (52, as shown in Figure 5, in spaced relation with the facing surfaces of the portions and 50 beyond the straps Bi and $2. Whereas the straps 52 of the leg portions E, F and G snugly slidably receive the upper leg portion 55 therethru, the strap portion 52 forming part of the joint structure J, is extended to provide a socket S8 for receiving the tongue it whereby the portions 36 and 59 of the roof brace and leg structure of the pilot leg may be locked together in extended alignment as shown in Figures 4 and 10 of the drawings.

The outer end of each roof brace portion is provided with a canopy grommet attaching pin 85.

The canopy stretcher pole or member H is slid-ably extended thru the passageway 2i of the hub structure 13 and at its ends may be provided with stop parts and 85, such as shown in Figures 12 and or the drawings, prevent detachment of member H from the hub structure. llhe surface of hub B may be rounded since it is intended to engage with the center of the roof structure of the canopy B in order to stretch the canopy top into position. To hold the extended position of the roof stretcher pole H, I provide a locking washer which may be loosely pivoted at st, as shown in Figure i l, to

the under flat surface oi the hub B. This washer has an opening 9'! therein which freely slidably receives the stretcher pole H, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. Since the locking washer 95 is pivoted on the under surface of the hub B it will normally drop to a slanted position, as shown in Figure 13. The edge surrounding the opening 97 will bite into the material of the stretcher pole H and hold the extended position of the latter. The pole H may be pushed upwardly to stretch the roof of the canopy to any desired extent between the limits of the stopsQil and 9|, and the locking washer will always drop into position to automatically hold the locked extension of the stretcher pole.

Referring to the mode of assemblage of the framework and tent canopy, it will be noted that since the extensible portions of the complementary pivotaily connected roof braces and legs are offset from opposite sides, the complementary sections of the legs when collapsed to the same length as the complementary sections of the roof brace C, may be collapsed parallel and swung downwardly into parallelism with the stretcher pole H. Thus the overall length of the collapsed frame assemblage is of substantially the same length as one of the leg portions 50. From this collapsed position the first step is to assemble the pilot leg structure D so that the leg portions 50 and 5| are extended in line with the roof brace structure C to which it is pivotally connected. The leg portions 50 and 5| of the pilot leg'section are, of course, locked in the position shown in Figure 4 as an initial step. The straightening of the portions D and 0 into alignment will leave the parts as shown in Figure 9, since the end of the locking tongue must be removed from its socket passageway of the strap 52 in order to permit this alignment. Thereafter, the portion 5| is moved by the operator, from the position of Figure 9, until the locking clamp 52 engages the outer end of the locking tongue and this will lock the parts in position, as shown in Figure 10. The hub B of the frame structure A (with all legs and parts C extended) is then slipped into the canopy structure 13*, as shown in Figure 3, with the hub at the top center of the canopy and the tent is .then raised to an upright position. Since the pilot leg (parts D and C) are vertically positioned to hold the hub in proper position, the operator is then free to go from leg E to leg I to leg G, slipping the pins, into the corner grommetsof the tent canopy; the portions 59 and 5! being adjusted as to length in the mode above described. After the legs E, F and G have thus been set, the detent K for the pilot leg is released so that the portion 56 may be moved outwardly to release the strap 52 from the locking tongue. This will then permit the brace .C

of the pilot leg construction to be swung up- It is not necessary to make the roof spider,

portions C extensible since they may be made of a single length, altho by making them extensible the framework may be utilized in connection with umbrella tents of various sizes.

To release the stretcher pole it is merely necessary to push up on the down side of the locking washer, and to release the leg looks or detents K it is merely necessary to lift the upper part of the leg and pull down on. the lower after loosening the detent.

In order to take down the tent frame in an orderly manner the stretcher pole is released or collapsed and then the pilot leg structure D is vertically positioned as shown in Figure l. The other legs may then be collapsed and subsequently the pilot leg.

In the conventional tent frame structure for umbrella tents there are seven separate pieces. The difficulty of handling these in the erection of the canopy is well known to those who have ever tried to erect an umbrella type tent. With the improved unitary frame assemblage of this invention, it is possible to erect the umbrella type canopy into complete assembled tent positioning within from /7 to {a the time that a single man can erect a conventional umbrella tent structure.

It will be noted that the frame structure when erected does not have a center pole to obstruct the tent compartment.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a tent construction the combination of a hub portion having a plurality of elongated roof braces pivotally connected around the same for extension radially therefrom or into collapsed parallel relation therewith, a plurality of legs pivotally connected with the outer ends of the roof braces, means to releasably connect at least one of the legs and its complementary roof brace in rigid extended substantiallyaligned positioning, and a tent roof stretching member connected to said hub for free longitudinal sliding therethru.

2. In a tent construction the combination of a hub portion having a plurality of elongated roof braces pivotally connected around the same for extension radially therefrom or into collapsed parallel relation therewith, a plurality of legs pivotally connected with the outer ends of the roof braces, means to releasably connect at least one of the legs and its complementary roof brace in rigid extended aligned positioning, a tent roof stretching member connected to said hub for free longitudinal sliding therethru, and automatic locking means to hold the roof stretching extension of said member with respect to the hub.

3. In a unitary frame structure for umbrella type tents the combination of a hub, a plurality of roof braces each comprising complementary extensible sections, means collapsibly connecting a section of each brace to the hub, a plurality of legs each comprising extensible sections, means to collapsibly lock the respective sections of the roof braces and legs in desired extension, a tent roof stretching member axially carried by said hub for slidable extension therefrom, and means to automatically lock the stretcher member in upward extended position against dropping when movably pushed upward.

4. In a frame structure for tents the combina- Number tion of a plurality of roof braces, a leg structure pivotally connected to each of the roof braces, and means to connect at least one of the roof braces with its complementary pivotally connected leg in a releasable straightened extended rigid alingment of said brace and leg, said legs each comprising a plurality of extensible sections.

5. In a frame structure for tents the combination of a plurailty of roof braces, a leg structure pivotally connected to each of the roof braces, and means to releasably connect at least one of the roof braces with its complementary pivotally connected leg in a straightened rigid extended alignment of said brace and leg, said leg structures each comprising a plurality of extensible sections, and said roof braces each comprising a plurality of extensible sections with the inner section portions relatively pivotally connected together.

6. In a tent structure for supporting umbrella type tent canopies the combination of a hub, a canopy roof stretching member movably supported by the hub, a plurality of roof brace portions collapsibly connected to the hub, and a plurality of leg portions movably connected to the outer ends of the braces, at least one of the braces at its outer end having a rigid locking tongue, and a slidable locking member on the leg complementary to the last mentioned brace and movable into position to engage the tongue and hold said roof brace and leg in locked extended alignment.

7. In a tent frame construction for umbrella canopy type tents the combination of a hub portion, a plurality of elongated roof braces pivotally connected to the hub portion in spaced relation around the same for collapsible radial extension therefrom, each of said roof braces comprising inner and outer extensible sections, a plurality of legs pivotally connected with the outer section of each of the roof braces, each leg comprising a pair of longitudinally extensible sections, means to lock the leg sections in a desired extended relation, and means to releasably connect at least one of the legs and its complementary roof brace in rigid extended substantially aligned position to facilitate erection of the frame construction and its canopy.

8. In a framework structure for tents the combination of a hub, roof braces, means to movably connect the roof braces to the hub for collapsed radial extension therefrom, legs, means movably connecting the legs to the outer ends of the braces, and means independent of the last mentioned means to releasably and immovably connect at least one brace and its connected leg in substantially aligned extended relation to facilitate erection of the framework structure.

JAMES R. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Re. 16,037 Berg Mar. 31, 1925 567,355 Palmer Sept. 8, 1896 1,090,738 McDonald Mar. 17, 1914 1,188,330 Schaefer June 20, 1916 1,491,849 Dickey Apr. 29, 1924 1,631,215 Leffert June 7, 1927 1,734,170 Lefiert Nov. 5, 1929 

